Though there are many, of varying colors, dispositions, age, feral status, and health, one particular 'survivor' caught my eye one night. He apparently managed to escape death by losing part of his right front leg, and retains a rather nasty gash on the same side, which, I'm told, is healing. All white, very feral , and living on the edges of the rest of them, he waits his turn when food is left for them. Since the Florida cold snap, he has been making more regular visits just next door to Coral Cottage, where a couple devout themselves to their own, and to the other needy felines of the surround. There are several caring others who do the same, and, unfortunately, some few who set vicious traps, and even shoot strays on sight, including dogs. Such is the nature of the human population. There's a lovely mural painted on the side wall of the local Animal Protection Association thrift shop, whose proceeds benefit the cause.

3 comments:

it's hard. feral and quasiferal.my neighbor's accidental cat, amale, has taken up spending the night in the giant Goat shed.this is good. he hunts the mice.this is not good. my own old spayed cat is leary of going out.this is not good because i wonder if he will spray on the Goat feed to mark territory?like so much, the front and theback.Waiting for more stories.....xoxo

ah (((Michelle))) best friend of Bastet!One night many years ago Old Man Crow read this poem by Paul Gallico to Ariel; Ode To Honourable Cat

I am Cat. I am honourable. I have pride. I have dignity. And I have memory. For I am older than you. I am older than your Gods; the Tree Gods, the Stone Gods, the Thunder & Lightning and the Sun Gods And your God of Love. I too can love But with only half a heart And that I offer you. Accept what I am able to give For were I to give you all I could not bear your inevitable treachery. Let us remain honourable friends.

Old Man Crow looked up from his book with a tear in his eye & said to Ariel, "I understand you can only give me half your heart." Ariel looked him straight in the eye & purred, "It doesn't work that way!" and gave him all his heart.

and this is another favourite;

"I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worth while?" Death thought about it "Cats," he said eventually, "Cats are Nice."

BOB and SOPHIE

WILF RIP

JUDE's MAGIC FEATHER PROJECT

(click on box to go to site)

JUDE's FLICKER

MAGIC FEATHER (click on picture to view slide show)

JUDE's STONES

Jude's Gathering STONES

ZEN HABITS

(click on picture)

You are always nearer to the true sources of your power than you think. The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive.The great opportunity is where you are. Every place is the center of the world." -John Burroughs-

PLANT GROWTH

click on Photo for a short video

WHAT IF

What if every little thing you do subtly alters the course of world history? What if your day-to-day decisions will actually help determine how the human species navigates its way through the epic turning point we're living through?-Rob.Bresney-

COMPASSION HEALS

By three methods we may learn Wisdom: First by reflection, which is noblest- Second by imitation, which is the easiest- Third by experience, which is the bitterest Confucius

WITNESSS

MIRROR

WORSHIP

David Foster Wallace said

The realization that you have something of value to contribute to the greater world necessarily involves prying your mind off yourself for a minute.